Button feeding apparatus



May 14, 1963 F. ASNES BUTTON FEEDING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I l IF' 1 M S Y. R A M m E T V,L T Mr A May 14, 1963, F. ASNES 3,089,443

BUTTON FEEDING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Fl-nYD AS4155 ATTORNEYS May 14, 1963 F. ASNES BUTTON FEEDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1960 INVENTOR. FLDVD A$/VE aymmwwwg' f flm/ ATTORNEYS May 14, 1963 F. ASNES BUTTON FEEDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 27, 1960 INVEN TOR. F 0 Yb 1954/ E5 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oiitice 3,089,443 Patented May 14, 1963 York Filed May 27, 1960, Ser. No. 32,260 7 Claims. (Cl. 112110) This invention relates generally to feeding apparatus, and is especially concerned with such apparatus as is adapted for feeding buttons, say for use with a sewing machine.

As is well known to those versed in the art, there have in the past been proposed various devices for feeding buttons from a hopper into position to be sewn to a garment. However, prior devices have not been entirely satisfactory for several reasons, including lack of adjustability to accommodate different-size buttons, and undue complexity in construction, resulting in relatively high cost and unreliability in operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide button-feeding apparatus for use with a sewing machine which overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, permitting adjustment through a wide range for accommodating buttons of great variety in size and shape.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a button-feeding apparatus adapted to be attached to a sewing machine for employment in conjunction therewith, which is entirely automatic and highly efficient in operation, and which is durable and reliable throughout a long useful life.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a button-feeding attachment for a sewing machine, which attachment includes a chute, a hopper for supplying buttons to the chute, and a but-ton receiver for holding buttons discharged from the chute in position to be sewn, all of which elements are conveniently and easily adjustable to accommodate different sizes and shapes of buttons.

The instant invention also contemplates the provision of novel means for actuating the button-feeding operation automatically in response to the button-sewing procedure.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the button-feeding apparatus of the instant invention preparatory to the button-feeding operation;

FIGURE 2 is a partial side elevational view showing the button-feeding apparatus of FIGURE 1, but illustrating the apparatus subsequent to the button-feeding operation; I

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view showing the buttonfeeding apparatus of FIGURE 1 in association with a sewing machine, the latter being shown in dot-and-dash outline;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a front end view showing the structure of FIGURE 5, but illustrating the same during attachment of a button to a garment;

FIGURE 8 is a partial front perspective view showing the instant button-feeding apparatus;

FIGURE 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a button-engaging element of the button-advancing mechanism, and illustrating in dot-and-dash outline an alternate position thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 10--1tl of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIGURE -1;

FIGURE 12 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a partial sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 1313 of FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view showing an agitator wheel of the instant apparatus apart therefrom.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-4 thereof, the apparatus includes an upstanding mount or mounting standard 20 which is fixed to the base 21 of a sewing machine. The mount 20 carries a generally upstanding chute, broadly designated 22, which has its lower end region 23 extending generally horizontally forward. At the upper end of the chute 22 is located a button container or supply hopper 24 for introducing buttons into the upper end of the chute. Adjacent to the lower end of the chute is provided a button receiver, generally designated 25, for receiving a button discharged from the lower end of the chute and holding the button in posit-ion during its attachment to a garment.

The mount or mounting member 20 may be a bracket having a foot 28 secured by bolts 29 to the sewingmachine base 21, and having an upstanding arm 30. Along its rearward edge, the upstanding arm 30 is provided with a laterally extending flange 31.

The chute 22 includes a pair of facing, complemental chute elements 33 and 34. The chute element 33 is formed with an upstanding portion 35 having an outer boss 35a secured fast to the flange 31 of the mount 20, as by fasteners 36, and the chute element 33 also includes a lower end portion 37 extending generally horizontally forward. A slot or groove 38 is'formed in the chute element 33, extending throughout the length thereof, opening upwardly through the upper end of the upstanding chute portion 35, and forwardly through the lower end of the horizontal lower chute portion 37.

The complemental chute element 34is arranged between the fixed chute element 33 and the mount 20, and'is carried by the latter for selective adjustment toward and away from the fixed chute element. More particularly, the adjustable chute element 34 includes an upstanding portion 40 and a lower end portion 41 extending generally horizontally forwardly from the lower end of the upstanding portion, with the upstanding portion 40 and lower end portion 41 in respective facing relation with the upstanding portion 35 and lower portion 37 of the fixed chute element 33. The adjustable chute element 34 is carried by pins 42 extending away from the fixed chute element 33 slidably into the mounting-member arm 30, to mount the chute element 34 for movement toward and away from the chute element 33 in facing relation with the latter. Further, suitable manually actuable lead-screw means 43 is connected between the mounting arm 30 and the chute element 34 for effecting movement of the latter to adjust the same in a selected spaced relation with respect to the fixed chute element 33. The chute element 34 may have its surface facing toward the chute element 33 substantially flat for engagement with the heads of buttons 45, see FIGURE 8.

A generally vertical upper end enlargement 46 is provided on the movable chute element 34, substantially coplanar therewith for carrying the hopper 24. The hopper 24 is carried by the upper end enlargement 46 of the chute element 34 on the same side thereof as the fixed chute element 33; and, the hopper extends horizontally beyond and receives the upper end of the fixed chute element. More specifically, the upper end enlargement 46 is recessed at 47 on its side adjacent to the fixed chute element 33 and receives therein a generally circular, vertically disposed side or end wall 48 of the hopper. The inner surface of the hopper wall 48 is substantially flush with the inner facing surface of the chute element 34. The hopper also includes a cylindrical wall constituted of an inner section '49 extending from the facing side of the adjustable chute element 34 beyond the fixed chute element 33 and having an inturned end flange 49a fixed to enlargement 46, and an additional cylindrical wall section 50 extending from the section 49. The open distal end of the cylindrical wall section 50 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly inclined wall 51 adapted to receive and retain a quantity of buttons deposited in the hopper.

The underside of the cylindrical hopper wall section 49 is cut away or open, as at 52, and there receives the upper end portion of the fixed chute element 33; and, an arcuately curved bottom plate 53 seats interiorly within the lower region of the cylindrical wall section 49 overlying and closing the opening 52. The bottom plate 53 is provided with a flange 54 upstanding internally of the hopper and engaging against the outer, non-facing side of the fixed chute element 33, as shown in FIG. 11. A depending external flange 55 is provided on the bottom plate 53 which is secured in facing engagement with the non-facing side of the fixed chute element 33 by bolts 55a (FIG. 13). Bolt 56 is threaded into the flange 55, extending spacedly through the upper end enlargement 46 of the movable chute element 34, and a knurled nut 57 is releasably secured in facing engagement with the outer surface of the enlargement 46. A pair of freely rotatable toothed orienting wheels 58 and 59 are carried interiorly of the hopper 24, being journaled therein on opposite sides of the flange 54 by screw pin 60. The shank of screw pin 60 is threaded through a threaded opening of flange 54. The head 60a of pin 60 is received within an appropriate recess 58a of wheel 58, as shown in FIG. 12. Wheel 58 is turnable on the shank of pin 60 on one side of flange 54. Wheel 59 is turnable on the shank of pin 60 on the other side of flange 54. Pin 60 extends in general parallelism with and offset with respect to the cylindrical axis of the hopper 24 and is provided with the freely rotatable toothed wheels 58 and 59 located generally tangent to the path of a button entering into the upper end of the chute 22. Further, it may be observed in FIGURES 11 and 12 that the toothed wheel 59 has one face substantially flush with the facing side of the fixed chute element 33.

Flange 54 has a slot 54a which is vertically aligned with slot 38. Flange 55 is located to one side of slot 38, as shown in FIG. 13.

An agitating star wheel or spider 64 is mounted concentrically within the cylindrical sections 49 and 50 of the hopper 24 on a rotatable shaft 65 which is journaled in and overhangs from the upper end enlargement 46 of the movable chute element 34. The agitating wheel 64 is best seen in FIGURE 14 and includes a hub 66 from which extend, generally radially, a plurality of spokes 67. The spider Wheel 64 is preferably integrally fabricated, as by molding, of resiliently deflectable' material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like. Each spoke 67 may be formed with a generally flat, radially extending portion 68 disposed in a plane normal to the axis of hub 66; and in addition, a generally flat portion 69 extends longitudinally along and generally normal to each of the portions 68, so as to lie in a plane generally parallel to the axis of hub 66. Each generally flat portion 69 is radially coextensive withits adjacent, integrally formed portion 68 and is provided with a cut or slot 70 extending generally radially inward from its outer end and defining a finger 71 on its edge spaced from the adjacent portion 68. The finger 71 of each spoke 67 may terminate radially short of the portion 68 and remainder of portion 69, and by its dimensions is readily resiliently deflectable.

The shaft 65 is rotated by suitable motor means 72 carried by the upper end enlargement 46 on the outer side thereof, see FIGURE 11. Upon rotation of the shaft 65, to rotate the agitator wheel 64 in the direction of arrow 73 in FIGURE 13, the spokes 67 eflect continuonsly repeated agitation of buttons contained in the hopper 24, and the spoke fingers 71 deflectably engage with the toothed peripheries of wheels 58 and 59 to rotate the latter in the direction of arrow 74. Rotation of the wheels 58 and 59 serves to jog and orient the buttons for entry into the chute 22. Specifically, a properly oriented button will be located with its head extending between flange 54 and wall 48, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, and with its properly oriented shank extending into slot 54a. As shown in FIG. 12, slot 54a need not extend entirely through flange 54, as long as it is deep enough to accommodate the button shank. As shown in FIG. 12, the button received against flange 54 with its shank in slot 54a ultimately drops down into chute 22, with its shank in slot 38 and with its head between the chute elements 33 and 34.

Upon adjustment of the chute to accommodate buttons of different-size heads, as by movement of the chute element 34, it is apparent that the hopper components 48, 49, 50, and 51, as well as the agitating wheel 64 move with the chute element 34 relative to the fixed chute element 33. In order to insure that the hopper opening 52, which spacedly receives the upper end region of the fixed chute element 32, remains closed exteriorly of the chute, the bottom plate 53 may remain fixed relative to the fixed chute element 33, thereby moving relative to the remainder of the hopper structure. This may be accomplished by adjustment of the nut 57 to maintain the latter against the outer side of the enlargement 46.

An advancing mechanism, generally designated 76 and best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, is associated with the chute 22 for advancing buttons therein and individually discharging the buttons, as required. The advancing mechanism 76 includes a generally horizontally disposed rod 77 located adjacent to the lower chute end region 23, extending along the fixed chute element 33, and carried thereby for forward-and-rearward, longitudinal reciprocation. That is, the fixed chute element 33 on its outer or nonfacing side is provided with a pair of forward and rearward, alined bearing members 78 and 79, which combine to support the shaft 77 in its reciprocating motion. A rearward extension 80 is adjustably fixed to the underside of the bearing support 79, as by fasteners 81, and extends rearward therefrom, having its rearward portion extending upward, as at 82, in alinement with the shaft 77. A coil tension spring 83 is connected between the rear end of the shaft 77 and the upstanding portion 82 to resiliently urge the rod rearward; and, stop nuts 84 are threaded on, and thereby adjustable longitudinally of the rearward end region of the rod 77, rearward of the rear bearing support 79, for abutting engagement with the latter to limit forward motion of the rod.

It may be observed in FIGURES 1-3 and 8 that the advancing rod 77 is located outward of and along the lower horizontal end region of the fixed chute element 33, adjacent to and spaced above the slot or groove 38 which receives the button shanks. On the forward end of the advancing rod 77 there is provided an engaging member 86, best seen in FIGURES 8-10. The engaging member 86 extends forward from the forward end of the rod 77, being offset laterally inward at 87 toward the chute element 33, and thence extending forward, as at 88, over the button shanks received in slot 38, and having its forward end depending downward, as at 89,

into the path of movement of the button shanks. The forward end of the advancing rod 77 is bifurcated, as by a generally vertical forwardly opening slot 90, and receives therein the rearward end of the engaging member 86. A pivot pin extends transversely through the forward end region of the advancing rod 77, and through the received rearward region of the engaging member 86 to mount the latter for swinging movement between its solid and dashed outline positions shown in FIG- URE 9. The engaging member 86 falls gravitationally to its solid-line position, being limited thereto by abutting engagement of its rearward region with the internal surface of the notch or slot 90. The pivot pin 91 is releasably held in the illustrated position by a cover piece 92 detachably secured to the advancing rod 77 by a fastener 93 so as to overlie one end of the pivot pin.

Fixed to the upstanding region 35 of the chute element 33, outward thereof, is a generally vertically disposed solenoid 95 having a generally vertical electrically actuable plunger 96. Extending downward from the lower end of the plunger 96, and pivotally connected thereto by a pivot 97, is a link 98. An angulate lever or hell crank 99 is pivoted medially to the fixed chute element 33 by a pivot 100, and has one end pivotally connected, as by a pivot 101 to the lower end of the link 98. The other end of the bell crank 99 is provided with a slot 102 slidably receiving a pin 103 carried by the advancing rod 77, extending laterally outward therefrom.

Upon actuation of the solenoid 95 to move its plunger 96 downward from the position of FIGURE 1, the bell crank 99 is rotated clockwise, by the line 98 to the position of FIGURE 2, wherein the advancing rod 77 has been extended or shifted forward from the retracted position of FIGURE 1. In the retracted position of FIGURE 1, the engaging member 86 is retracted to a location just rearward of the lowermost button 105, while in the extended or forward position of FIGURE 2, the engaging member 86 is located forward or outward beyond the lower, discharge end of the chute. In its forward movement, the engaging member 86 engages with the shank of button 105 to discharge or shift the latter button forward out of the chute and permit the next adjacent button to gravitationally assume the previous lowermost position of the discharged button. Upon its retracting movement from the position of FIGURE 2 to FIGURE 1, the engaging member 86 swings upward about its pivot 91 to ride over the lowermost button shank.

The lowermost button is held in position by a holding or retaining member or arm 107 extending along and outward of the fixed lower chute region 37, spaced below the slot 38. Intermediate its ends, the retaining member or arm 107 is pivoted, as by a pivot 108 to the fixed chute element 33. From the pivot 108, the retaining member or arm 107 extends rearward Where it is resiliently engaged by spring means 109 urging the arm in the clockwise direction. Forwardly of the medial pivot 108, the retaining member or arm 107 extends upward, as at 110, and at its upper end is bent to extend laterally inward toward the slot 38, the laterally extending portion being designated 111 and best seen in FIGURE 8. The inner end of the lateral arm region 111 engages with the lowermost button 105 to fri-ctionally retain the latter in its lowermost position. The limiting position of clockwise rotation of the retaining arm 107 is determined by the position of rotation of an eccentric stop member 112. That is, the eccentric stop member 112 is rotatably adjustable at the fastener 113 and in position to engage with the forward region of arm .107 to limit its clockwise rotation to the desired position for frictional engagement with the lowermost button. The outer side of the lower chute element region 37, beneath the lateral arm region 111 is provided with a recess or pocket for receiving the latter region and permitting counterclockwise rotation 6 of the retaining arm against the force of spring means 109.

The button receiver 25 includes a mounting bracket or arm 116 which may be integrally formed on its forward end with an open support member 117 having a pair of forward and rearward legs 118 and 119, extending laterally in front of the discharge end of the chute 22, and spaced above the slot 38. The support member 117 also includes a depending wall 120 on one side of the discharge end of the chute.

Depending from the legs 118 and 119 is a generally U-shaped resilient member 121 having -a forwardly and rearwardly extending lower portion 122, and a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced legs 123 and 124 upstanding from the lower portion. The upper ends of the legs 123 and 124 are respectively secured to the legs 118 and 119. The member 121 may be formed of resilient sheet material and carried by the legs 118 and 119 for adjustment laterally of the chute 22, as by manipulation of the fasteners 125 and 126. An additional resilient strip 128 is carried by the support member leg 119, being spaced outward from the resilient leg 124 by a spacer 129. The strip 128 depends from the support member leg 119 and is bent to extend toward the plane of the U-shaped resilient member 121, as at 130. Coplanar with the resilient member 121, the strip 128 is provided with a portion 131 extending parallel to and below the portion 122, and combining with the latter to define therebetween a slot for receiving the shank of a discharged button. Portions 122 and 131 with their supports serve as resilient clamping means for the button head.

A backing member or plate 132 is arranged generally vertically between the wall 120 and the resilient elements 121 and 131, and is mounted on the wall by pins 133 extending slidably through the wall for movement toward and away from the latter. Manually actuable screw means 134, see FIGURES 5 and 7 are provided on the wall 120 and connected to the backing plate 132 for effecting movement of the latter toward and away from the resilient element 121, the pins 133 being provided with coil springs 135 to take up any slack in the threads of screw means 134. It will now be appreciated that the receiver 25 is provided with structure adapted to receive and retain a button discharged from the chute 22, with the button shank being received between the resilient members 122 and 131, and the button head being frictionally retained between the backing member 132, and the resilient members 122 and 131, as best seen in FIGURE 8.

The receiving structure 25 is located in position to receive the vertically reciprocating sewing-machine needle 137 between the legs 118 and 119, with a button positioned to properly receive the reciprocating needle.

Below the button receiver 25 is mounted an anvil 139 for supporting a fabric or garment 140 in position to have a button 141 in the receiver sewn to the fabric or garment. The anvil 139 is generally elongate, and pivotally mounted at one end, as by a pivot 142 on a support or base 143. At the other end of the anvil is-provided a vertically opening through slot 144 for receiving a reciprocating sewing needle. A leaf spring 145, or other suitable resilient means, is provided for urging the anvil 139 in one direction about its pivot 142 toward its operative position with the slot 144 located to receive the sewing needle. An extension 146 may be provided on the anvil 139 engageable with an upstanding pin or abutment 147 on the base 143 to limit rotation of the anvil into its operative position and permit rotation of the anvil out of its operative position against the force of the resilient means 145. Also, suitable means are provided for moving the support 143 of anvil 139 vertically toward and away from the receiver 25.

For example, base or support 143 may be moved between its raised position of FIG. 8 and other views and its lowered position of FIG. 5 by any suitable means,

such as a conventional foot treadle. The same foot treadle (not shown) may also start the operation of the sewing machine, as is conventional. As shown in FIG. 4, the support 143 is curved and inclined to extend under mounting bracket or arm 116. This has an elongated slot 116a. Pin 200 upstanding from the end of support 143 extends slidably into and through slot 116a and above the upper face of element 116. L-shaped lever 150 is pivoted at the junction of its arms, at 150a, to the upper face of support 116, with one arm of lever 150 abutting pin 200. The other arm of lever 150 abuts the switch arm 149a of microswitch 149. It will be apparent that in raising support 143, it may also be rocked so as to slide pin 200 Within slot 11611 to engage lever 150 so as to rock it in counterclockwise position, as taken in FIG. 4. This may move the switch arm 149a against its support 149, and this maintains switch 149 in normally open position. When the support 143 is lowered, as by release of the foot treadle at the conclusion of the sewing operation, this may move pin 200 in slot 116a away from lever 150 in such a way as to permit the spring 14% of switch 149 to move the switch lever 149a to switch closing position. Switch 149 may be conventionally in the electric circuit of solenoid 195, so that upon closing of switch 149, solenoid 95 is energized.

In operation, it is only necessary to introduce buttons into the hopper 24, and energize the motor 72 for efiecting a constant filling of the chute 22 with properly oriented buttons. The buttons move gravitationally downward in the chute, the lowermost button 105 being retained in position by the retaining member 107 prior to discharge, and the next lowermost button being retained in position by the engaging member 86 in its retracted condition. Upon energization of the solenoid 95, as by relative movement between the button receiver 25 and anvil base 143 to actuate the switch 149, the advancing rod 77 shifts forward to forcibly discharge the lowermost button 105 and moves the latter into position received in the button receiver as mentioned hereinbefore. The next lowermost button, and the remaining buttons in the chute move gravitationally downward, with the then lowermost button retained in proper position by the retaining member 107, and the advancing arm 77 is retracted to the position of FIGURE 1, with the engaging member riding over the lowermost button.

With a garment 140 in position on the anvil 139- against the shank of a button 141, as seen in FIGURE 7, the sewing needle effectively secures the button to the garment.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a button-feeding apparatus which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Button-feeding apparatus comprising a mount having an upstanding arm, an elongated, rigid chute element, means mounting said chute element on said upstanding arm in spaced opposition thereto, a further chute element complementary to said fixed chute element and disposed between said upstanding arm and said fixed chute element, said chute elements having opposing sides, at least two spaced pins on said further chute element extending to ward said upstanding arm, said upstanding arm having bearings respectively slidably receiving said pins and mounting said further chute element on said upstanding arm so that said sides of said chute elements are always parallel to each other and so that said further chute element is movable to vary the spacing between said sides, said sides being shaped to define therebetween a chute for the heads of buttons extending to the tops of said chute elements, said fixed chute element having a slot for reception of the shanks of said buttons, said further chute element being movable so as to accommodate button heads of different thicknesses in said chute, and single adjustment means between said pins coupling said further chute element and said upstanding arm and operable to vary the position of said further chute element.

2. Button-feeding apparatus comprising a generally vertically extending chute having an open upper end and shaped and sized to receive buttons having heads and shanks in vertical succession with the heads in alignment, a hopper carried at the upper end of said chute and opening into the upper end thereof, a toothed wheel freely rotatable in said hopper proximate to the upper end of said chute for orienting said buttons to enter said chute, and a star Wheel rotatable centrally in said hopper and having resiliently defiectable arms for agitating the buttons and engageable with the periphery of said toothed wheel for rotating the latter, said toothed wheel being positioned just below the upper end of said chute and positioned relative to the upper end of the chute so as to jog any button approaching said upper end so as to prevent its entrance into the chute unless said approaching button is properly oriented.

3. Button-feeding apparatus comprising a mount, a pair of facing complemental chute elements carried by said mount and defining therebetween a chute for buttons having heads and shanks and adapted to receive said buttons successively with the heads in alignment and with the faces of said heads opposing said chute elements, said chute having an outlet end, means mounting one of said chute elements for adjustment toward and away from the other chute element to adjust said chute for buttons of different head thicknesses, and a button receiver positioned to receive buttons from said chute outlet end, said receiver comprising a support member carried by said mount and adapted to pass a sewing needle, a plate, means adjustably mounting said plate on said support so as to be movable in the same direction as said one chute element and so as to be adapted to be maintained in substantial alignment therewith, a resilient clamping member and means mounting said clamping member on said support so as to oppose and be movable toward and away from said plate and so as to be substantially aligned with said other chute element, said plate and said clamping member being positioned and adapted to receive and retain therebetween the head of a button discharged from said chute with the shank thereof in position to be sewn.

4. Button-feeding apparatus in accordance with claim 3, said clamping member including a through slot positioned and adapted to receive therebetween the shank of said discharged button.

5. Button-feeding apparatus comprising a mount, a pair of facing complemental chute elements carried by said mount and defining therebetween a chute for buttons having heads and shanks and adapted to receive said buttons successively with the heads in alignment and with the faces of said heads opposing said chute elements, said chute having an outlet end, means mounting one of said chute elements for adjustment toward and away from the other chute element to adjust said chute for buttons of different head thicknesses, and a button receiver positioned to receive buttons from said chute outlet end, said receiver comprising a support member carried by said mount and adapted to pass a sewing needle, a plate, means adjustably mounting said plate on said support so as to be movable in the same direction as said one chute element and so as to be adapted to be maintained in substantial alignment therewith, a clamping member, said clamping member including a U-shaped spring plate the parallel members of which are mounted upon said support and the connecting arm of which thereby opposes and is resiliently movable toward and away from said rigid plate and so as to be substantially aligned with said other chute element,

said plate and said connecting arm being positioned and adapted to receive and retain therebetween the head of a button discharged from said chute with the shank thereof in position to be sewn and located adjacent the edge of said connecting arm which is remote from said parallel arm, said clamping member also comprising a spring arm and means resiliently mounting said spring arm on said support with said spring arm coplanar with and spaced from and parallel to said connecting arm and positioned relative thereto to receive said discharged shank therebetween.

6. Button-feeding apparatus according to claim 3, said apparatus also comprising an anvil, means mounting said anvil below said button receiver, said anvil being elongated in the direction of feeding movement of the button and having a pivot at its end remote from the chute and a head at its other end positioned to receive fabric clamped thereagain'st and under said shank, said head having a needle slot, said anvil being turnable about its pivot so as to swing said head toward and away from said plate, and spring means urging said head toward said plate.

7. Button-feeding apparatus according to claim 5, said apparatus also comprising an anvil, means mounting said anvil below said button receiver, said anvil being elongated in the direction of feeding movement of the button and having a pivot at its end remote from the chute and a head at its other end positioned to receive fabric clamped thereagainst and under said shank, said head having a needle slot, said anvil being turnable about its pivot so as to swing said head toward and away from said plate, and spring means urging said head toward said plate said anvil being adapted to be aligned with said clamping means so as to receive the head of the button between said plate and said anvil beyond said clamping finger and so as to receive said shank between said connecting arms and said anvil beyond said spring arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 194,005 Sherwood Aug. 7, 1877 1,020,949 Horton Mar. 19, 1912 1,063,885 Kiewicz June 3, 1913 1,079,967 White Dec. 2, 1913 1,160,487 Barker Nov. 16, 1915 1,181,228 Kiewicz May 2, 1916 1,255,529 Hagelstein Feb. 5, 1918 1,434,704 Jacques Nov. 7, 1922 1,473,604 Bates Nov. 13, 1923 1,931,830 Rich Oct. 24, 1933 2,487,352 McDaniel Nov. 8, 1949 2,571,450 Hughes Oct. 16, 1951 2,843,069 Halbreich July 15, 1958 

1. BUTTON-FEEDING APPARATUS COMPRISING A MOUNT HAVING AN UPSTANDING ARM, AN ELONGATED, RIGID CHUTE ELEMENT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID CHUTE ELEMENT ON SAID UPSTANDING ARM IN SPACED OPPOSITE THERETO, A FURTHER CHUTE ELEMENT COMPLEMENTARY TO SAID FIXED CHUTE ELEMENT AND DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID UPSTANDING ARM AND SAID FIXED CHUTE ELEMENT, SAID CHUTE ELEMENTS HAVING OPPOSING SIDES, AT LEAST TWO SPACED PINS ON SAID FURTHER CHUTE ELEMENT EXTENDING TOWARD SAID UPSTANDING ARM, SAID UPSTANDING ARM HAVING BEARINGS RESPECTIVELY SLIDABLY RECEIVING SAID PINS AND MOUNTING SAID FURTHER CHURE ELEMENT ON SAID UPSTANDING ARM SO THAT SIDES OF SAID CHUTE ELEMENTS ARE ALWAYS 